Zondo inquiry hears how Gigaba, others, left Gupta home with ‘bag of cash’

Three unknown witnesses, whose identities are protected due to threats to their lives, gave shocking testimony on Gigaba’s alleged dealings when he was Minister of Public Enterprises.

A man only known as ‘Witness 3’, who was Gigaba's bodyguard at the time, told the commission he traveled with the then minister to the Gupta home in Saxonwold on several occasions.

Gigaba would return to the car with a bag of cash.

"I transported the minister on unscheduled visits to the Gupta residence in Saxonwold seven times,” the witness said.

“The six times I was in a backup as part of his convoy and I drove the minister myself to the Gupta home once. One the occasion I drove him alone he said I should not record the journey on the vehicle's logbook.

"The minister would get into the Gupta premises while we wait in the car. On one occasion I saw Mr. Brian Molefe, Matshela Koko of Eskom, and Ben Ngubane. I also saw the convoy of former president Jacob Zuma enter the premises as we were leaving.”

READ: Stage 2 load shedding to continue on Friday

He said Gigaba would always leave the Gupta home with a sports bag full of cash and would often drive to Sandton to buy tailored suits for which he paid in cash.

The same witness told the commission he was later appointed as the bodyguard and driver of former Transnet and Eskom CFO Anoj Singh.

He said Singh visited the Gupta home more than 10 times and would also come out with a bag full of cash.

He said he also drove Singh to Knox Vault where he appeared to empty the bag.

Witness 2 told the commission he drove former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama to meet Gupta associate Salima Essa at Melrose Arch, where he was also handed cash.

He said Gama once have him R50 000 in cash as a token of appreciation.

The witnesses told the commission’s chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, that their lives have all been threatened.